The new Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus offer improvements over the Note 8 with the cameras, stereo speakers, processor, and some software enhancements. As ZDNet's Larry Dignan pointed out, the new Galaxy S9 creates some flagship confusion -- with the S Pen and Snapdragon 845 appearing to be the primary differences.

The S Pen may be one of the only differentiators, but it is the primary reason that Note fans continue to purchase the Note devices. If you love your S Pen, then don't worry, as some of what we see in the new Galaxy S9 is coming soon to the Note 8 through the Android 8 Oreo update. These improvements in Android 8 on a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 include:

DeXPad and DeX capability: This includes using your Note 8 as a virtual trackpad and keyboard to control the DeX experience and improved capability on an external monitor.

Bixby with AR: The updated version of Bixby support live translation, food data, improved location data, and make-up selections.

Enhanced multitasking: Improvements include messaging while playing video and app pair shortcut support on the home screen panels. Note 8 users already have app pair support on Edge panels, but the home screen shortcut should make it more apparent and useful for people that never jump into the Edge panels.

Improved app shortcut press and hold: Up to five useful options will now appear when you press and hold an app shortcut on a home screen panel.

There will be many other software enhancements that come with Android 8 Oreo. The update is just starting to roll out to Samsung Galaxy S8 devices, so the Note 8 shouldn't be far behind.